Category: Learning

When my kids started school a few months ago, I quickly learned the importance of the word ‘bamba’, which is local Gothenburg slang for the school cafeteria. Intially, this word cracked me up because every time one of them would mention it, I would eagerly belt out, ‘Para bailar la bamba…etc…’, which completely and utterly embarrassed them. So now I’ve decided to control my inner popstar diva self and focus my efforts on inquiring about their ‘middag’ (midday) meal.

Traditionally, ‘middag’ has been considered the main meal of the day in Sweden. Each day around noon, Swedish students eagerly rush to the ‘Bamba’ in order to see what savory dish awaits. A typical meal will include a full salad bar, main course (protein and carbohydrate), milk, fresh fuit and knäckebröd (a hard Swedish cracker made with whole grains and seeds). Special dietary needs are always catered for. Students are expected to serve themselves, while teachers monitor and assist when necessary. Then teachers and students sit together and enjoying a bountiful, healthy meal and each other’s company.

‘Bamba’ is certainly a far cry from the cafeterias I endured as child. First of all, pizza, chips, greasy hamburgers, vending machines and soda are no where to be found. This is Sweden…the land of healthy living! Secondly, Bamba provides children with another learning opportunity. Teachers modelling proper table manners while socializing and eating with the children instills in them that mealtimes are not simply about eating, but rather are also times to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Finally, this ‘middag’ meal is free to all students. This fact alone demonstrates how valuable the Swedish government thinks it is! It’s no secret that healthy, well-fed students will have better behavior and more effective learning in the classroom.

Maybe if other countries adopted a similar approach as the Swedish Bamba, then student achievement, behavior and overall health might improve? After all, you are what you eat! However, I realize that certain cultural precedents and societal values need to be in place before the vending machines are rolled out the door, along with the the pizza and greasy burgers.

I’ll admit it. I’m not exactly the most technologically savvy individual. I have been known to ask my husband to simply stand by my computer in order for his ‘techie vibes’ to magically repair whatever problem I’m having. According to him this situation can best be described as a P.I.C.N.I.C. (Problem In Chair, Not In Computer)…I resent that!! Oh well…the truth hurts sometimes.

So moving to Sweden has proven to be quite the challenge for me because this has got to be the most technologically astute country on the planet! It’s not that people are simply using technology throughout their day, but rather, to fully function and survive here requires a technological know-how, that frankly, I do not yet possess.

Apps…where do I start? Well, they are responsible for enabling people to seamlessly go about their day to day life; however, I didn’t realize how much of Swedish daily life is dependent upon them. For example, when inquiring about a bus ticket, I was told that they don’t sell them on the, bus but rather, I needed to simply find the app and pay. What…no tickets on the bus? Another situation involved me stressing because I couldn’t find 10 Krona (about $1.20) to buy my son a cinnamon bun after a soccer match. At this point, my husband laughed and said that I needed an app for that too! I think he’s secretly happy that I’m being forced into the ‘techie realm’. Finally, parking here is completely controlled by apps. There are machines, but quite a few aren’t functioning. So, depending upon which kommun you’re in, you need to upload the correct parking app. It may seem simple to some, but honestly, this is way out of my comfort zone. I no longer need to have a stash of coins in the car!

It’s not that the countries I’ve lived in before haven’t been technologically advanced, but rather, in Sweden you have to embrace technological advances and know how to use them! I’m sure with time, I will develop a more ‘appy’ approach to daily life here. Wish me luck!